Hadith on sea-travel

Question

Kindly advise on the authenticity of the hadith of not travelling by sea except for Haj or ‘Umrah.

Answer

Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said : “None except a person going for Haj, Umrah or going out in the path of Allah Ta’ala should travel by sea, for verily there is fire under the ocean and there is an ocean under the fire.”

Note 1: Besides the fact that the hadith is weak, Sayyiduna ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) would stop the people from unnecessarily travelling by sea. This was also the view of the Tabi’i; Mujahid (rahimahullah).

Note 2: Some people justify embarking on sea cruises by arguing that the hadith in question has been declared weak and we are therefore allowed to travel by sea for purposes other than Haj, ‘Umrah & Striving in Allah’s way, like leisure. This is incorrect as the ‘Ulama have discouraged ship cruises etc. for various other factors and malpractices that usually occur on board such cruises. A wrong is wrong, whether on land or sea. Clarity on this issue should be acquired from a legitimate Darul ifta.